Compressport Run 2016: A HM Personal Best and Podium Placing!
I ran a half marathon personal best last Sunday, and made podium for the first time.
I don’t race half marathons that often, particularly after deciding to tackle the full marathon distance back in Dec 2014. I made changes to my training, and the half marathon distance became my weekly long run distance. Thus, why should I pay to run a half, when I could do it for free every week anyway?
Therefore, after running a disastrous half marathon in SCKLM 2014 (net time was 2:45), my next half was Mizuno Wave Run in Dec 2015, in which I clocked 2:33-ish. I was hoping to break the elusive 2:30 at the time, but made a mistake of racing a 10 km hard the day before. I was exhausted by Sunday morning, and just managed an LSD-like timing.
2 FMs, 12k, 15k races happened in between before I raced another half just a few weeks after Eid this year. By that time, I was determined more than ever to break not 2:30, but 2:15. I was buoyed by my full marathon PB of 4:48:04 a few months prior, in which I reached the halfway point in sub-2:30, thus I knew I had it in me to run faster.
It was an agonizing run. Even more agonizing, it was under-distanced. Instead of the even 21.1 km, it was around 20.6 km, which I finished in 2:12-ish. I was satisfied, but it didn’t feel complete. Still, I had no plan to run another half this year.
I ran my first SCKLM 2016 full marathon in August and met the wonderful 5:30 pacers. One of them told me that he would be pacing the half in the incoming Compressport Run in September. I didn’t give it much thought, as I was more occupied with running the Hokkaido Marathon three weeks after SCKLM.
Somehow, I signed up for Compressport Run before leaving for Sapporo. The fee was expensive, even for a half marathon. But it would be held on 18/9, which would be a replacement holiday for me. To be able to race on Sundays without having to take annual leave is now a rare occurrence for moi, thus I couldn’t let it pass. It was also a chance to avenge myself.
I did around 2:18 at halfway during the Hokkaido Marathon and still managed to finish in sub-5 hours, thus I knew breaking 2:15 was not impossible. My plan was to follow the 2:15 pacers until KM 19 or so, before taking off. I had no specific time in mind, well maybe a sub-2:12.
Anyway.
I had trouble sleeping the night prior to the race. Tossing and turning in bed, I finally dozed off around 1.30 am. I was up by 4.00 am to make time for a quick breakfast – only to find myself rummaging the fridge for something decent to eat. Being at home, I didn’t do my usual the night before grocery shopping, thus I settled for some melon-flavored chocolate coated cookies from Hokkaido that seemed to not be as popular as the white chocolate variety. Since there was plenty of time, I ground some coffee beans and brewed a cup of coffee. To be honest, it did feel too early for such effort – I did wish I had a can of overly sweetened Nescafe instead.
The first thing I did upon reaching MMU Stadium was to look for the surau. And I found Uncle Kelvin and En Hadafi in the process – stretching and getting ready for their pacer duties.
After a quick toilet trip post Subh prayer, I rushed to the start line with only 1 minute to spare before the 6.00 flag off time. I tried to squeeze my way to the front but couldn’t get far. I locked eyes to the green balloons of the 2:15 pacers and resigned to the fact that I had to chase them.
And I chased them I did. My pace was probably too fast for the first 1 km, hence it was a huge relief to be able to finally join the pace group. Goodbye erratic pace, hello consistency!
I was surprisingly fresh that morning, and was able to follow the sub-6:30 min/km pace set by the pacers, both turned out to be pacers from the 5:30 group back during SCKLM 2016. At one point, En Azhar did ask if I could still follow them. And I could – what a great day of running!
The weather was kind too – overcast sky with threat of rain. It was a huge blessing, especially when the route went through long undulating boring stretches with nothing to look at.
It was my first experience running that long at that pace so I was quite taken aback with the very very brief stop at water stations. I also took my energy chews while running to save time. Still, most times, I allowed myself time to properly drink some water before chasing the pacers. Again. And again.
It started to feel hard after KM 15. I told myself to put my trust in the pacers and to just follow their stead. Hence, the next 4 km passed in “zombie”-mode. I didn’t cast a long view ahead, just enough to put the next step forward. One, two, one, two – easy did it.
The last 3 km was familiar to me as it was the same route during the Cyberjaya TwinCity Marathon last January. I knew the end was near, thus at KM 19, I pulled ahead of the pacers. I turned and said my farewell, thanking them for their guidance.
I ran the last 2 km at a faster pace (slightly sub 6:00 min/km, I think) but the hill just after MMU entrance did put a damper in my spirit initially. Still, it was only 300 m to the finish line so I was determined to not give up.
Ran the hill then it was a sprint to the finish line. I knew I had a personal best thus allowed myself a personal celebration just after crossing the timing mat. To my surprise, a volunteer handed me a tag with #10 on it.
I made podium!
My gun time was 2:11:33, while my net time was 2:10:08. I was still feeling great after the race, thus maybe, just maybe, a sub-2 HM might not be entirely impossible, eh?
To have a great day of racing is not entirely dependent on the runner. Instead, there are many factors (and people) behind her. For me, it is my family who never questioned my decision to change my lifestyle 3 ½ years ago when I started to run consistently.
My appreciation also goes to the 2:15 pacers – En Azhar & En Dafi for the job well done. I had another great time running social, instead of running solo!
To be honest, when I started back in 2013, I had never envisioned coming this far and this fast. I just wanted to lose some weight and be healthier. At that time, I was approaching 30, and was determined to not be 30 and miserable.
I am over that dreaded number now, and I am stronger and healthier than I was in my 20’s. I am happier with clear goals in mind, and have started conquering my fears, one after another. I will continue to work hard, as I know that my full potential is yet to be unleashed.
Run happy!
I don’t race half marathons that often, particularly after deciding to tackle the full marathon distance back in Dec 2014. I made changes to my training, and the half marathon distance became my weekly long run distance. Thus, why should I pay to run a half, when I could do it for free every week anyway?
Therefore, after running a disastrous half marathon in SCKLM 2014 (net time was 2:45), my next half was Mizuno Wave Run in Dec 2015, in which I clocked 2:33-ish. I was hoping to break the elusive 2:30 at the time, but made a mistake of racing a 10 km hard the day before. I was exhausted by Sunday morning, and just managed an LSD-like timing.
2 FMs, 12k, 15k races happened in between before I raced another half just a few weeks after Eid this year. By that time, I was determined more than ever to break not 2:30, but 2:15. I was buoyed by my full marathon PB of 4:48:04 a few months prior, in which I reached the halfway point in sub-2:30, thus I knew I had it in me to run faster.
It was an agonizing run. Even more agonizing, it was under-distanced. Instead of the even 21.1 km, it was around 20.6 km, which I finished in 2:12-ish. I was satisfied, but it didn’t feel complete. Still, I had no plan to run another half this year.
I ran my first SCKLM 2016 full marathon in August and met the wonderful 5:30 pacers. One of them told me that he would be pacing the half in the incoming Compressport Run in September. I didn’t give it much thought, as I was more occupied with running the Hokkaido Marathon three weeks after SCKLM.
Somehow, I signed up for Compressport Run before leaving for Sapporo. The fee was expensive, even for a half marathon. But it would be held on 18/9, which would be a replacement holiday for me. To be able to race on Sundays without having to take annual leave is now a rare occurrence for moi, thus I couldn’t let it pass. It was also a chance to avenge myself.
I did around 2:18 at halfway during the Hokkaido Marathon and still managed to finish in sub-5 hours, thus I knew breaking 2:15 was not impossible. My plan was to follow the 2:15 pacers until KM 19 or so, before taking off. I had no specific time in mind, well maybe a sub-2:12.
Anyway.
I had trouble sleeping the night prior to the race. Tossing and turning in bed, I finally dozed off around 1.30 am. I was up by 4.00 am to make time for a quick breakfast – only to find myself rummaging the fridge for something decent to eat. Being at home, I didn’t do my usual the night before grocery shopping, thus I settled for some melon-flavored chocolate coated cookies from Hokkaido that seemed to not be as popular as the white chocolate variety. Since there was plenty of time, I ground some coffee beans and brewed a cup of coffee. To be honest, it did feel too early for such effort – I did wish I had a can of overly sweetened Nescafe instead.
The first thing I did upon reaching MMU Stadium was to look for the surau. And I found Uncle Kelvin and En Hadafi in the process – stretching and getting ready for their pacer duties.
After a quick toilet trip post Subh prayer, I rushed to the start line with only 1 minute to spare before the 6.00 flag off time. I tried to squeeze my way to the front but couldn’t get far. I locked eyes to the green balloons of the 2:15 pacers and resigned to the fact that I had to chase them.
And I chased them I did. My pace was probably too fast for the first 1 km, hence it was a huge relief to be able to finally join the pace group. Goodbye erratic pace, hello consistency!
I was surprisingly fresh that morning, and was able to follow the sub-6:30 min/km pace set by the pacers, both turned out to be pacers from the 5:30 group back during SCKLM 2016. At one point, En Azhar did ask if I could still follow them. And I could – what a great day of running!
The weather was kind too – overcast sky with threat of rain. It was a huge blessing, especially when the route went through long undulating boring stretches with nothing to look at.
It was my first experience running that long at that pace so I was quite taken aback with the very very brief stop at water stations. I also took my energy chews while running to save time. Still, most times, I allowed myself time to properly drink some water before chasing the pacers. Again. And again.
It started to feel hard after KM 15. I told myself to put my trust in the pacers and to just follow their stead. Hence, the next 4 km passed in “zombie”-mode. I didn’t cast a long view ahead, just enough to put the next step forward. One, two, one, two – easy did it.
The last 3 km was familiar to me as it was the same route during the Cyberjaya TwinCity Marathon last January. I knew the end was near, thus at KM 19, I pulled ahead of the pacers. I turned and said my farewell, thanking them for their guidance.
I ran the last 2 km at a faster pace (slightly sub 6:00 min/km, I think) but the hill just after MMU entrance did put a damper in my spirit initially. Still, it was only 300 m to the finish line so I was determined to not give up.
Ran the hill then it was a sprint to the finish line. I knew I had a personal best thus allowed myself a personal celebration just after crossing the timing mat. To my surprise, a volunteer handed me a tag with #10 on it.
I made podium!
My gun time was 2:11:33, while my net time was 2:10:08. I was still feeling great after the race, thus maybe, just maybe, a sub-2 HM might not be entirely impossible, eh?
To have a great day of racing is not entirely dependent on the runner. Instead, there are many factors (and people) behind her. For me, it is my family who never questioned my decision to change my lifestyle 3 ½ years ago when I started to run consistently.
My appreciation also goes to the 2:15 pacers – En Azhar & En Dafi for the job well done. I had another great time running social, instead of running solo!
To be honest, when I started back in 2013, I had never envisioned coming this far and this fast. I just wanted to lose some weight and be healthier. At that time, I was approaching 30, and was determined to not be 30 and miserable.
I am over that dreaded number now, and I am stronger and healthier than I was in my 20’s. I am happier with clear goals in mind, and have started conquering my fears, one after another. I will continue to work hard, as I know that my full potential is yet to be unleashed.
Run happy!
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